Drunk Driving

Memphis Drunk Driving Injury Attorney Fights for Your Future

Advocating for those injured in a drunk driving accident in Memphis, Jackson, and throughout West Tennessee

Every day in the United States, 29 people die in alcohol-related traffic crashes. That amounts to about one person dying every 50 minutes in 2016 according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). While drunk driving fatalities have decreased by one third in the past three decades, drunk driving is still a serious threat to traffic safety. Every year, about 10,000 people still die in drunk driving crashes. In 2016, that’s 10,497 lives ended because someone decided that they were not too drunk to drive themselves home. The damages from the deaths and property damage for these traffic crashes costs more than $44 billion every year. In Tennessee in 2017, there were 4,594 known alcohol-related traffic crashes according to the TN Department of Safety & Homeland Security. Those who survive an alcohol-related crash will likely have devastating injuries that will impact the rest of their lives.

The skilled Memphis drunk driving accident injury attorneys at the law firm of Bailey & Greer, PLLC, are prepared to hold those responsible for our clients’ injuries accountable for their actions. We help families recover compensation for the medical care, home care services, lost income, permanent disability, pain and suffering, and other losses that can come from a serious drunk driving accident injury. We are here to help you.

Injuries from drunk driving traffic accidents

Alcohol-related traffic crashes often cause devastating injuries including the following:

Traumatic brain injury

Neck and back injury

Spinal cord injury

Cuts and Lacerations

Fractures

Limb loss

Injury to internal organs

Those who suffer long-term injuries in alcohol-related traffic crashes will face significant medical bills and lost income when they are unable to do the work they once did to support their families. Taking legal action against the responsible party allows the injured party to recover the compensation they need to get on with their lives after it has been shattered by the reckless behavior of a drunk driver.

If you have been injured in a drunk driving crash, you have rights

You have the right to pursue compensation though a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or through a lawsuit. When an individual makes the choice to get behind the wheel after having had too much to drink, they are choosing to engage in negligent, reckless behavior that puts the lives of other drivers and their own life at risk. At .08% BAC (blood alcohol concentration), a person begins to lose muscle coordination, their judgement and reaction times become impaired, their level of alertness is lowered, and their memory, reasoning, and self-control are impaired. These effects make the task of driving difficult, and if something unexpected should occur, the driver’s reaction time and ability to respond to an emergency are far from ideal. (NHTSA)

Drivers owe a duty of care to the other drivers with whom they share the road. When someone knowingly engages in reckless behavior behind the wheel, they can be held liable for the injuries they cause if there is an accident. A person who has been injured in a drunk driving crash can pursue compensation for their injuries from the at-fault driver. Damages may include compensation for the following:

Medical expenses

Lost wages

Pain and suffering

Other losses

Filing a negligence claim against a driver convicted of DUI in Tennessee

In a regular car accident claim, the injured party (the plaintiff) has the burden of proof to prove the at-fault driver’s (the defendant) negligence. However, under Tennessee law, drunk driving is a criminal offense. If the defendant is charged with a DUI and convicted of drunk driving, they have done the work for you to prove their negligence. If you wait until the criminal proceedings are completed, you and your attorney can file a civil action. The defendant’s DUI conviction will be helpful in proving fault in the civil trial.

Are punitive damages available in a Tennessee drunk driving accident injury case?

Unlike compensatory damages, which intend to compensate the injured party for a specific loss, punitive damages have the intent to punish the defendant for their reckless behavior. The facts of each case will determine whether punitive damages might apply such as when the driver had an excessively high BAC. Your Memphis drunk driving accident injury attorney will advise you about whether punitive damages might be available.

Tips for responsible driving behavior from the NHTSA

If you are reading this, you are not likely the one who needs this information, but if you want to be a responsible driver, do not drink and drive.

In the 1980’s there was a public service ad campaign that warned, “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.” This was part of an effort to encourage those people who saw their friends behaving badly and getting ready to make a foolish choice to try to stop them. If you are out with a friend who has had too much to drink, drive them home or send them home in an Uber, Lyft, or cab. The NHTSA has a SaferRide app that can help you arrange a ride.

If you are hosting a party and serving your guests alcohol, it is your responsibility to make sure that every guest has a sober ride home.

The aftermath of a serious drunk driving accident can be devastating but choosing a lawyer who cares about your future should not be. Bailey & Greer, PLLC, has a solid history of successful drunk driving accident injury representation in Memphis, Jackson, and throughout West Tennessee. To schedule a no-obligation consultation today, please call 901-680-9777 or fill out our contact form now.